Cheers, jeers for the week of Oct. 7-13, 2012

Cheers to news that more than two-thirds of Solano County’s schools improved their Academic Performance Index scores overall, based on test scores released this week by the state.

California schools are expected to score 800 or better out of a possible 1,000 on the API testing, and maintain that level of achievement year over year, or face sanctions.

The number of Solano schools that hit the mark increased from 36 to 38. Three local schools, Nelda Mundy, Suisun Valley and Rolling Hills elementary schools, each topped 900.

Cheers to the children and staff at each school for aiming so high, and hitting the enhanced target.

Jeers that one-third of our schools did not improve. That shows there’s still much work to do.

Cheers to news that the Yippie Yogurt shop on West Texas Street is moving toward completion as the Youth Initiating Professional Preparedness in Employment Foundation trains its second group of young adults.

The foundation provides a job-training program for men and women ages 16 to 24. That training will include real-world job experience once the yogurt shop opens its doors. The program focuses on those who live in poverty or are in foster care.

Cheers to the success of The Leaven’s signature fundraiser Sunday, the Wine & Cheese Auction Social at Green Valley Country Club.

Mark Lillis, executive director of The Leaven, reports that more than $110,000 was raised this year to support its network of after-school tutoring programs in targeted neighborhoods in Fairfield and Suisun City.

Cheers to news that work that’s forced a lengthy closure of parts of Pennsylvania Avenue near Highway 12 will soon be complete.

The roadway was closed so a massive water line installation project could take place. The project will ultimately link the city’s eastside water lines with its westside water lines to provide a more stable water system overall.

A half-mile stretch of Pennsylvania Avenue from the highway south to Cordelia Road opened Oct. 5. Pennsylvania Avenue north of the highway should reopen Oct. 20.